Police Warn of IRS Scam Calls for Tricities Area

Kennewick police are warning the community that they have been getting calls about a phone IRS scam on their Facebook page. Citizens are reporting that they are receiving supposed phone calls from the IRS to pay fake fines immediately or face consequences. Here are 5 things the IRS DOES NOT DO, to help tell if you are being scammed.

1

Contact You by Phone First

The IRS will not contact you by phone first. They will mail an official notice and estimate before they ever call you.

2

Demand You Pay without Appeal

The IRS will always allow you to challenge or appeal the amount they say you owe before they make you pay.

3

Require Specific Payment Method

The IRS will never ask you to pay with a prepaid visa card or gift cards.

4

Credit Card Numbers

The IRS will never ask for your credit card number over the phone for payment. Never.

5

Threaten Arrest

The IRS will never threaten to have local law enforcement come and arrest you. They are trying to scare you into being a victim.